We eat a lot of Snacks round The Metropolitan world headquarters and – unlike many gatekeepers – are keen to share our findings with our avid and dedicated readership.

Why?

Because, we care about good eating …

And, so should you.

 

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Hasselman’s Honey (and, beeswax candles) | Fremont, MI

Since 1974. 100% Local Western Michigan, Unprocessed, Raw & Unfiltered.

Last month, we sent contributing crack storyteller, Jamiel Dado to the west side of Michigan to see what he could dig up on the bee community and those products associated with what the Empire called, Apis mellifera.

While his experience can be found in the previous link, we’d like to discuss a couple of the products coming out of Great Lakes Bee Company.

It says right on the bottle that Hasselman’s Honey comes straight from the hive, with all the benefits natural honey has to offer. While there is rigorous debate over the health benefits associated with honey – natural sugar vs processed, local honey vs global, etc – those who keep bees are confident that locally produced, raw, unprocessed honey not only tastes great but provides a myriad of benefits to better living (myriad, a word I do not use in daily conversation but thought it worked given the previous Latin).

We spoon this robust honey on our homemade bread and toast, in our bowl of Whole Milk Greek Yogurt w/ berries, and stir it in our afternoon teas.

Delicious!

Had I been with Jamiel, I might have asked Hasselman what makes the flavor of their honey unique? What flowers contribute to its taste? Does Lake Michigan have anything to do with the end product? How do we safely and ethically support bee communities into producing their finest product? And, how should bees be compensated for their work?

But, alas, I was not there.

Apart from Hasselman’s Honey, we have also been writing by beeswax candlelight for the past 30 days and must say, it has produced a much richer experience – we enjoy the aroma and its soft, flickering, glow!

Hasselman’s small batch honey comes from the Western Shores of Michigan and is hand bottled in Fremont, Michigan, by the Great Lakes Bee Company.

 

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Louisiana Hot Sauce | New Iberia, LA

There are a lot of hot sauces out there, and we could go on for days about many of them. But, we always come back to the Original Louisiana Hot Sauce.

Made from a fire combination of aged peppers, distilled vinegar, and salt, Louisiana has been making hot sauce since 1928 – from the town of New Iberia, LA. Plus, we love the packaging – bright yellow label against red pepper hot sauce and that lovely, French flour-de-lis logo.

House of Bourbon in the house!

We use Louisiana on just about everything; eggs, potatoes, Cajun food, Mexican food, sausages, and of course, chicken. And, we are pleased to share this American original with you.

 

 

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Cheech’s Poultry | Eastern Market, Detroit

Speaking of chicken, Cheech has been doing it since before we launched our publication (2009). In fact, they’ve been producing fried chicken in Easter Market since before anyone on staff was born. And, locals have swarmed Cheech’s stand – located inside Gratiot Central Meat Market – since their very beginning. Known primarily for Amish chicken and turkey products, Cheech’s also serves up ready-to-go fried chicken.

So, is fried chicken a Snack or a meal?

Depends.

I suppose one could do as we and bring home a bucket for dinner. One could also purchase a few wings to snack on while adventuring through Eastern Market. Of course, one could also bring home a bucket to snack on while watching the Tigers, Pistons, Lions or Wings on the tele.

Choice is yours.

Either way, we highly recommend visiting this Detroit classic.

 

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Special

Secret

Encoded

Recipe

Below:

 

 

The Metropolitan’s HOT HONEY Fried Chicken!

  1. Slather Cheech’s Fried Chicken with a layer of Hasselman’s Honey
  2. Sprinkle to taste with Louisiana Hot Sauce
  3. Heat in Oven til Ready
  4. Enjoy!

 

 

#hothoneyfriedchicken